Along de Lange Voorhout, Parliament, The Hague

Attended the first LSE (Leadership and Social Entrepreneurship) training seminar today in The Hague.  We've been made to understand that the course isn't going to be so much a technical skills course as a socially oriented approach to management within the framework of traditional business values; in short, a window on how to achieve success in business the Philippine (or Asian?) way.

A Filipina colleague is also attending, and about 40 more persons, most of them settled in The Neth although not all of them married to Dutchmen.  The Philippine ambassador gave a welcoming speech as well; I didn't expect to meet him.  We sang the Philippine national anthem at the beginning, and many of us certainly didn't expect to do that!  All in all, an eye-opening afternoon wherein many things were introduced and explained and without the usual 'hanging around and taking time' that we know to be typically Filipino.  Instead, there was a strict schedule to follow and we were jovially but firmly encouraged to keep up with it.

There was also a coffee break with typically Filipino delicacies, something we were all relieved and happy about.

While I did take several shots, this one of the long stretch of canal along the avenue called de Lange Voorhout, on one side of which are the Parliament buildings and the Mauritshuis, was what I felt characterized my day -- almost laid back, not much pain, with a lot of time to reflect on things and get to know some countrymen (mostly ladies) here.  Could this be the beginning of some beautiful friendships?  I doubt that loads but I do intend to enjoy the ride with them while we're together.

O yea ... at the end of the course, I'm supposed to write a 1500-word essay and prepare, present AND defend a business plan using afore-mentioned social entrepreneurship approach.

India album update -- DATIA